









































30

World Religions
Gerrit van Dyk, Brigham Young University, Secretary

MEMBERS PRESENT

• Beth Kumar, Chair, Graduate Theological Union
• Alexis Weiss, Vice Chair, Loyola Marymount University
• Gerrit van Dyk, Secretary, Brigham Young University
• Daniel Baek, Vancouver School of Theology
• Jennifer Bartholomew, Sacred Heart Seminary & School of  

Theology
• Judy Clarence, California State University, East Bay, Emerita
• Dan Flores, Texas Lutheran University
• Barnaby Hughes, Atla 
• Patrick Milas, New Brunswick Theological Seminary
• Stephen Sweeney, Saint John Vianney Seminary
• Megan Welsh, University of Colorado, Boulder

AGENDA

1) Introductions 
2) Last year in review
3) Nominations of Open Positions
4) Plans for next year and rollover of ideas from before



Interest Group Meetings  31

DISCUSSION

Last Year in Review

Most projects and plans went on hiatus due to the 
pandemic. We had a brief discussion of the effects of 
COVID-19 on our institutions.

Nominations and describing positions available

Vice-Chair

•  Chairs meetings in the absence of the chairperson. 

•  Assumes all duties of the chairperson in the event the 
chairperson cannot complete their term of office.

•  In consultation with the Chair is responsible for the 
development of program ideas.

•  Advances electronic projects related to world religions 
that may be located on the Atla web site.

• Manages the email discussion list.

Secretary

•  Submits the report on the annual conference meeting 
of the WRIG to the Editor of Member Publications for 
inclusion in the Atla Summary of Proceedings.

•  Maintains the names and addresses, including e-mail 
addresses, of Steering Committee members and their 
terms of office.

•  Works with the Atla Member Programs staff to update 
the information related to the World Religions Interest 
Group on the Atla web site.



32  A NNUA L Y E A RBOOK

Desirae Zingarelli-Sweet will assume the role of Vice Chair.
Secretary position remains open.

Plans for the Year and Rollover Ideas

a)  Podcast?
  i.    Interviewing each other and others on various 

topics.
  ii.    Some topics like religion and gender or religion 

and politics.
  iii. Need someone who is familiar with podcasting.
  iv.  Alexis said she would be able to do the audio 

editing.
  v.  Alexis is going to send more info and create a 

possible schedule.

b) Blog?
  i.  Example from the DEI committee entry Alexis 

wrote.
  ii.  Writers would come from volunteers in WRIG.
  iii. Short—2-3 pages with a bibliography.
  iv.  Barnaby Hughes volunteered to do something 

about academic journals and interfaith 
publishing, including possibly interviewing 
editors.

  v.  Judy Clarence mentioned she would be willing 
to draft a post on a combined theological library 
conference with an institution in Kenya.

c)  Atlantis Monthly discussions?
  i.  Atlantis is slated to migrate to a different 

platform but we would be posting to the new 
format whenever that migration occurs.

   1.   They are currently doing beta testing of the 
new platform with some members but they 
hope to move to full production in fall.



Interest Group Meetings  33

  ii.  We are looking for a two or three sentence topic 
to use to generate discussion.

d)  Atla LibGuide- Websites on Religion?   
https://atla.libguides.com/WOR 

  i.  Alexis showed the current site and updated 
us all on where the content is now. WRIG and 
PSIG will work together to find volunteers for 
updating and adding new sections.

e)   Required: One big WRIG event (webinar, speaker) – Atla 
Baltimore 2022. 

  i.  Alexis asked participants share any ideas—
particularly those who are familiar or live 
around the Baltimore area, including other Atla 
members.

f) Other ideas?
  i.  Some clarifying questions were asked; Jennifer 

Bartholomew volunteered to write a blog post 
about the interfaith women’s group she is a part 
of in Milwaukee.

  ii.  The history of Atla and WRIG was also discussed, 
especially when the association moved from 
primarily Christian institutions and programs to 
other faith traditions.

  iii.  Cataloging conventions and world religions 
could also be a topic.

  iv.  Alexis also suggested sending the group 
announcements for any interfaith functions they 
are sponsoring.



34  A NNUA L Y E A RBOOK

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES (HOSTED PROGRAMS)

Atla Annual Session: Service to the Community: Listen and Learn 
with Mona Kafeel, the Executive Director of the Texas Muslim  
Women’s Foundation 
Presenter: Mona Kafeel

Mrs. Kafeel joined us for a listen and learn about the history of 
the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, the challenges facing the 
community, and the varieties of work the foundation offers. This 
included discussing the role of women in the family, training for 
domestic violence awareness, and diversity training in the wider 
Ft. Worth community.  

2020-2021 GROUP: [pictured, left to right] Beth Kumar, Alexis Weiss, Dan Flores, 
Judy Clarence, Gerrit van Dyk, Jennifer Bartholomew, Zach Motts, Stephen Sweeney, 
Megan Welsh, Barnaby Hughes


